Chapter 13

Kagome stood on her balcony watching the horizon. To those who passed by it looked as if she was watching the sun rise. To bad she wasn't.

In the distance she could feel Kikyo traveling towards the western lands. Although she had hoped that the dead priestess would have heeded her warning she'd always known it would only be a matter of time before she came after her.

Still she wouldn't seek the woman out until she was sure that she was indeed looking for her and what her intentions were. This was her home for now and she'd protect it and those who lived here. Until than she'd keep tabs on her location. Her decision made she turned to go inside and nearly bumped into Sesshomaru.

"Sesshomaru, what are you doing here so early?" she asked. The truth was he'd startled her. She'd been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't even noticed him behind her.

He'd been watching her for the last few minutes. The look she wore was the same she got when getting ready to defend others. It was a look he knew all to well as it had been directed at him more than once.

"Is there a problem, Kagome?"

'Shit, should have known he'd notice,' she thought.

"Kikyo is headed towards the western lands most likely to try and kill me."

"She won't succeed."

"I know," she whispered turning once again to the horizon. "I had hoped she'd take her second chance at life and make use of it. One of the reasons I left was so that she and Inuyasha could be together without my presence. Unfortunately, I fear she is filled with to much hate and greed."

"If the dead one is searching for you than I'm sure Inuyasha isn't far behind."

Kagome merely nodded knowing he was right. "For now I'll merely keep track of her to see where she goes. If there's even a small chance she's not searching for me than I'll let her live. In the mean time we'll have to be on guard and watch the children. She'll use them to her advantage if given a chance."

"I'll notify the guards after we eat. "

She merely nodded and started to make her way into her room, but was stopped when Sesshomaru held out his arm blocking the way. From his sleeve he withdrew a small object wrapped in silk handing it to her. She slowly uncovered it to reveal a gold chain with a crescent moon pendant. It was beautiful and in the center a small opal sat.

"It's beautiful," she gasped her eyes wide.

"This shows all that you are being courted by the West. I'd like you to wear it," he said while fastening the chain for her.

She knew it would be useless to fight him. She had willingly accepted his courtship and this was to keep others from trying to claim her.

After placing the chain around her thin neck his hands settled on her shoulders. The way she tensed slightly and looked at him with suspicion told him she felt the magic within the chain.

"Do not worry. Protection spells have been woven into the metal," he explained calmly.

"What kind?"

"If you are in danger I will be summoned."

"Anything else," she asked.

"If you become to tired or out numbered a barrier will rise until I can retrieve you. It is merely a precaution," he said seeing the fury in her eyes. "When others find out that you are to be my mate some may try to stop our union."

Kagome listened to his reasons for the spells and knew he was, in his own way, protecting her. However, the thought that he believed she needed protecting was slightly irritating.

"I understand that you want to protect me, but if at any time these spells hinder what needs to be done I'll do everything possible to over ride them."

"And you should remember, Kagome," he said wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "I will do everything in my power to ensure my mate's safety regardless of how powerful she is." He leaned down and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. When a soft moan left her lips he reluctantly let go looking into her hazy eyes.

"We should join the pups for breakfast. I'm sure they're waiting."

Kagome pulled herself together and nodded. In silence they walked to the dining room to start their day.

When his mother walked into the dining hall Shippo knew something was wrong, but said nothing. He'd learned long ago that she would tell him in her own time after she'd worked it through for herself.

"Lady Kagome, I hope you're doing well this morning," said Rin.

"I am thank you. Are you ready for your lessons this morning?" she asked while taking her seat.

"Yes, can we go to the gardens again?"

"As long as the weather is nice," she smiled at the eager girl. She would wait until she was certain before warning her of danger. Shippo, however, she would tell so he could keep an eye out.

After breakfast they headed outside while Sesshomaru went to his study and summoned one of his Generals.

"Lord Sesshomaru, you sent for me," said Sano stepping into his Lord's study.

"I did." he finished reading the scroll in his hands before turning to the kitsune. "Lady Kagome has notified me of a possible threat. I want you to keep an eye on the children until the threat has passed or dead."

"Who presents the threat?"

"Kikyo the miko that was brought back from the dead. Speak with Lady Kagome she sill be able to tell you all you need to know." With a slight nod of his head he dismissed the youkai and returned to his work.

Sano left and went directly to the gardens finding them already deep in lessons. Silently he took a seat next to the miko and listened as she worked with each child over the next few hours.

After the children were call inside for lunch she spoke to the warrior. "I assume Sesshomaru sent you to keep an eye on the children."

"He did. he also said that you could give me the details about this dead woman."

Kagome sighed, "over fifty years ago Kikyo was the guardian of the Shikon Jewel. She was fatally wounded by Naraku by taking on the form of the man she loved, Inuyasha. After he attacked her he took her form and attacked Inuyasha as well. By the time it was over Inuyasha had been bound to the sacred tree by Kikyo, thinking he betrayed her. Kikyo died with hatred and betrayal filling her heart and the Shikon Jewel was burned with her body. A few years ago I released him when I was being attacked by a demon. In the process she bit into my side and the Shikon Jewel was ripped from my body. From than on everyone assumed I was the reincarnation of Kikyo."

Sano watched as her hand drifted to her hip and heard the sadness in her voice. She must have constantly been compared to the dead one.

"Shortly after Kikyo's grave site was desecrated. A witch had stolen her remains and dirt from the site. With these she made Kikyo a new body made of clay. Unfortunately, her soul had been reincarnated already. Because both of us have ties to the Shikon she was able to steal my soul to bring Kikyo back. When she attacked Inuyasha I was able to call most of my soul back and she fled."

"You mean she still has part of your soul?" he asked astonished. When she nodded he was beyond shocked. "How can you live without your soul?"

"Trust me it's not easy and I don't recommend it," she said sarcastically. "Anyway, from than on she tried several times to take Inuyasha to hell, aided Naraku against us and tried to kill me."

"Why you?"

"She wants the life denied to her. To be a woman and have children. If she can gain the rest of my soul she kills to birds with one tone. She becomes alive and the obstacle to Inuyasha's heart is gone. Not to mention she thinks she'll gain my power. I left the village I called home and the friends I called family for several different reasons. It would give her and Inuyasha a chance to work things out and she was watching Shippo and the others to closely for my comfort being the main reason. Given half a chance she'd use them against me. I couldn't allow that."

Sano's respect for her increased dramatically. He'd never heard of anyone loosing part of their soul and live. There was also sadness in her when she mentioned his Lord's half-brother.

"You love him." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Kagome smiled. "Long ago it seems now. I was a young girl with no control over her powers or experience with a male and he was always saving me. It was only natural. Now though, I love him as a brother and want only his happiness."

"I understand why you were reluctant to say anything in the front of the kits. Lord Sesshomaru has asked me to watch over them until the threat is either over or dead."

"Thank you," she said with a small smile.

When she moved he caught sight of the pendant around her neck. So he finally got her to agree to the courtship.

"How do you know she's near?"

"I can feel her no matter where she is. The closer we get to each other though, the more my soul pulls at the missing piece trying to become whole."

"It must be painful."

"If it weren't for Miroku teaching me to meditate it would be much worse," she turned away from him than facing east.

Sano knew the subject was a touchy one and decided not to press any further. Instead he stood, bowed to his Lady and went in search of his new charges.

Kagome closed her eyes and not for the first time wondered what it would have been like to have led a normal life in her time before heading inside for lunch.

Inuyasha couldn't help but notice that Kikyo was headed into the Western territory. Could she really be in that bastard's lands?